Main Page

Welcome to Step 4 — a wiki of accessible Torah wisdom, tightly bound to identifiable sources in TaNaCh, Gemara, and Mesorah.

✦ Today's Featured Article Yom Kippur: Yonah, Prophecy, Teshuvah, and the Fear of Greatness Note: This summary was generated by AI based on the transcript of the shiur. It was not written or reviewed by Rabbi Gershenfeld. Read full article... Published: September 20, 2026 ? Did You Know... ...that the word tirosh (wine) contains tirash (poverty), and this duality is the key to understanding Kiddush? (source) ...that Shabbos candles are not merely about light, but about establishing seder — an ordered, purposeful framework for Shabbos? ...that the phrase Av Hamon Goyim — "father of a multitude of nations" — encodes a transformation in Avraham's very identity? ...that true leadership begins with recognizing that Hashem is the Elokei HaRuchos — the G-d of all spirits? ...that Kiddush Hashem is not only about martyrdom but about how we live every ordinary moment?

📖 This Week's Parsha Parashat Bereshit 29 Tishrei 5787 · October 10, 2026 · Genesis 1:1-6:8 Bereshit opens with the creation of the world in six days and Shabbos. Adam and Chava are placed in Gan Eden, eat from the forbidden tree, and are exiled. Kayin kills Hevel; the generations from Adam to Noach are listed. Haftarah (Ashkenaz): I Samuel 20:18-42 | Shabbat Machar Chodesh Read on Sefaria → 🗓 Upcoming Holidays Holiday Date Shmini Atzeret — Eighth Day of Assembly October 3, 2026 Simchat Torah — Celebration of completing the Torah October 4, 2026 Chanukah: 1 Candle — First night of Chanukah December 4, 2026 Chanukah: 2 Candles December 5, 2026 Chanukah: 3 Candles December 6, 2026 Chanukah: 4 Candles December 7, 2026 Chanukah: 5 Candles December 8, 2026 All dates begin at sundown of the evening prior. Times are for Diaspora.

Browse by Topic

Shabbos & Kiddush Tirosh or Tirash: Wine and Daas Wine as Sod in Kiddush Bridging Zohar and Maharal Distinguishing Shabbos with Wine and Word The Framework of Oneg and Kedusha Illumination, Seder, and Oneg

Leadership & Character Leadership and Elokei HaRuchos Leadership (overview) Making Kiddush Hashem Teaching the World

Torah Sources & Study Key Gur Aryeh Sources Learning Chumash with Gur Aryeh Calling beshem Hashem Av Hamon Goyim Bamidbar 27:16 — Elokei HaRuchos

About Step 4: This wiki preserves Torah wisdom learned from Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld — tightly bound to identifiable sources in TaNaCh, Gemara, and Mesorah; deep; and relevant. Learn more →